BloggingStocks

Entrepreneur's Journal: Strategies for establishing business credit

Tom Taulli — 2008-10-05T18:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Staples Inc (SPLS), United Parcel'B' (UPS), Small business

While the credit crunch is making it difficult for businesses to get credit, there may be other reasons you've had trouble getting the line of credit you need. For one thing, you may not be taking steps to build a credit history for your business.

By establishing business credit, you may be able to get larger loan amounts and better rates. What's more, it could be easier to find good suppliers and vendors - as well as to snag customers.

So how do you establish business credit:? Well, here are some steps:

Create a credit profile: Perhaps the top credit agency for small businesses is Dun & Bradstreet (NYSE: DNB). Basically, you complete a credit profile with them through service called the CreditBuilder; you then get a DUNS number, which is what third-parties will request when they do a credit check. All in all, the process is pretty easy.

Keep in mind that it's important to periodically update the file. An incomplete file is often a red flag.

Be diligent: In tough times, it is tempting to delay payments. However, if you do, you may damage your credit history.

Keep in mind that D&B has a so-called PAYDEX score, which is an indication of how timely you are with payments. This ranges from 1 to 100, and a PAYDEX score above 70 is considered strong. Interestingly enough, a way to improve your score is to pay bills before they are due.

Setup Business Accounts: Chances are you will need to use services like UPS (NYSE: UPS), Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS) and so on. The good news is that you can set up business accounts with them, which will help build your business credit history. You can also do the same with your land line and cell phone service.

Personal Credit: According to Michelle Dunn, the author of the Ultimate Credit and Collections Handbook, "Most Entrepreneurs or new small business owners don't realize that their personal credit is crucial to their ability to successfully run a business. When you first start a business your personal credit is what is used to determine the types of credit or if any credit will be extended to you or your business."

As you start to build your business credit, your personal side will phase out. So it is important to start the process sooner than later.

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Earnings highlights: Toll Bros., Take-Two, Tiffany, Staples, Kraft, Corning and others

Trey Thoelcke — 2008-09-06T09:40:00+00:00

Filed under: Earnings reports, Boeing Co (BA), Ciena Corp (CIEN), Tiffany and Co (TIF), Corning Inc (GLW), Staples Inc (SPLS), Toll Brothers (TOL), Kraft Foods'A' (KFT)

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) earnings prospects may have encouraged the machinist union to strike.
Ciena Corp. (NASDAQ: CIEN) Q3 results and weak guidance led shares to a new 52-week low.
Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) lowered its Q3 earnings guidance below previous and analysts' forecasts.
Dollar Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: DLLR) beat Q4 estimates and posted record 2008 results.
Ericsson Telephone Co. (NASDAQ: ERIC) was downgraded because it could miss Q3 earnings expectations.
Esterline Technologies (NYSE: ESL) topped Q3 expectations due to robust aerospace and defense markets.
Joy Global Inc. (NASDAQ: JOYG) posted strong Q3 results due to a sharp increase in orders.
Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) backed away somewhat from its previous 2008 earnings guidance.
Legg Mason Inc. (NYSE: LM) earnings prospects for the next several quarters led to an analyst downgrade.
MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (NYSE: WFR) mid quarter update warned of declining demand for chips.
Navistar International Corp. (NYSE: NAV) was upgraded following a strong Q3 report.
New York Times Co. (NYSE: NYT) ongoing losses haven't diminished Rupert Murdoch's interest in it.
Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) warned that it would miss earnings estimates due in part to weak sales.
Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (NASDAQ: SNDA) better-than-expected Q2 led to an analyst upgrade.
Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) Q2 earnings slipped while revenues rose, beating expectations.
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) Q3 results soared but cut its Q4 guidance.
Tenet Healthcare Corp. (NYSE: THC) was upgraded on its prospects for beating expectations.
Terex Corp. (NYSE: TEX) warned that earnings for Q3 and Q4 would be lower than estimates.
Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) posted better-than-expected Q2 results and offered full-year guidance.
Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL) reported its fourth straight quarterly loss, but it was smaller than expected.

Also, Jim Cramer discusses a decline in earnings resulting from a collapse of oil and oil services.

Upcoming quarterly reports include Korn/Ferry (NYSE: KFY), Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY), Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB), Krispy Kreme (NYSE: KKD), and Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ: LULU).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

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Staples rises despite profit slip, Joy Global tumbles on profit surge

Trey Thoelcke — 2008-09-03T17:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Earnings reports, Staples Inc (SPLS)

While less foot traffic and lower sales dragged down Staples Inc.'s (NASDAQ: SPLS) second-quarter profit, mining equipment maker Joy Global Inc.'s (NASDAQ: JOYG) fiscal third-quarter profit soared on strong demand for its products and services.

Staples, the world's largest office supply company, reported Wednesday that it earned $150.2 million, or 21 cents per share, down 16% from its year-ago profit. Sales jumped 18% to $5.07 billion, though same-store sales fell 7% in North America. Results were boosted by the acquisition of Dutch supply chain Corporate Express NV.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had expected a profit of 21 cents per share on revenue of $4.69 billion.

Because of the slowing economy, the Framingham, Mass.-based company also forecast low single-digit earnings per share growth for the full year

Staples shares rose 41 cents, or 1.7%, Wednesday to $25.18. Shares are up 9.2% year to date.

Joy Global said its third-quarter profit rose 55% to $113.1 million, or $1.03 per share, not including charges related to the acquisition of Continental Global and settlement of a union contract. Adjusted earnings came to $134 million, or 81 cents per share. Revenue climbed to $903.8 million from $621.8 million a year ago.

Analysts, on average, had expected adjusted net income of 88 cents per share on revenue of $884 million.

Continued strength in the international markets and a resurgence of the U.S. underground coal market resulted in a sharp increase in orders to $1.5 billion. Original equipment orders rose more than threefold in the quarter, and aftermarket orders grew 40%. Underground equipment orders rose 89% to a record $743 million.

However, shares of Joy Global tumbled $12.53, or 19.1%, Wednesday to $53.05. That's well off the 52-week high of $90.00 in June; shares are down 36.3% in the past three months.

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

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10 stocks for next 10 years, best credit cards & 12 ways to build a great credit score - Today in Money 9/3

Allan Halprin — 2008-09-03T09:23:00+00:00

Filed under: Google (GOOG), Apple Inc (AAPL), Wal-Mart (WMT), Coca-Cola (KO), Schlumberger Limited (SLB), Money and Finance Today, Procter and Gamble (PG), Staples Inc (SPLS), Electronic Arts (ERTS), Gilead Sciences (GILD), Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC)

In the News:

· Analysts See Oil Falling to $100

· Coca-Cola to BuyChinese Juice Maker for $2.5 Billion

· Apple Hints at New, Cheaper iPods

· Staples 2Q Profit Drops 16% as Sales Decline

· Gustav Damage May Hit Up to $10 Billion

· Wal-Mart Says Hanna Could Be Bigger Challenge Than Gustav

· 'Shoemaker to the World' Dies at 93

· World's Tallest Building Just Got Taller

· David Letterman Baffled By NBC Replacing of Leno with Conan O'Brien

· As Belts Tighten, Lobsters Shrink & Bar Menus Grow at Restaurants

10 Stocks for the Next 10 Years

You can rest easy knowing these companies will deliver consistent returns over the long haul. Among Kiplinger's picks are Procter & Gamble, Electronic Arts, First Solar, Gilead Sciences, Google, Monsanto, Norfolk Southern, T. Rowe Rrice, Schlumberger and Visa.

10 Stocks for the Next 10 Years - Kiplinger.com

Will Republicans Drop Sarah Palin From Ticket? You Can Bet on It

An online prediction market weighs in on whether VP candidate Sarah Palin will be dropped from the Republican ticket.

Betting on a Palin withdrawal - FORTUNE

Save Energy, Save Money

Choosing efficient products over energy hogs can help you save thousands. Plus 25 simple ways to save.
ConsumerReports.org - Saving energy, saving money

Plus: 25 Simple Ways to Save

Best Credit Cards

These are the 12 best cards Consumer Reports found, with the help of CardRatings.com and our own research. Cards are listed alphabetically in three categories, low-rate/low-fee cards, gas cards and cash back cards.

ConsumerReports.org - Find the best low-rate, low-fee, cash back credit cards

Also: How to Navigate the New Credit Card Jungle

12 Ways to Build a Great Credit Score

Credit cards can be powerful tools to help reshape your credit score. Here's how to make them work for you.

How to be a savvy credit cardholder - Bankrate.com

Best Glass Cleaners

The bottom line from Consumer Reports tests were for very dirty glass, try Windex No Drip, which was excellent on indoor and outdoor grime and on smoke. For less-dirty glass, save money and use Streak Free from Wal-Mart, 3 cents per ounce, or our home brew, which cost about a penny per ounce and would have rated just below the Weiman product. Even tap water worked pretty well. Wipe cleaner off window mullions to avoid possible damage. Whatever product you use, refold your cleaning towel often.

ConsumerReports.org - We test 10 glass cleaners plus a home brew.

Three Credit Card Benefits You Don't Know About

Did you know If you're planning a trip and you get sick or can't make it at the last minute, the airline is going to charge you bigtime to change or cancel the trip. But you probably have vacation cancellation insurance through your credit card that will cover the fees for you. Most cards do it between $1,000 and $2,000 per year of coverage. This is one of the three secret benefits that comes with your credit card most likely. Are you taking advantage?

On The Money: How to Get the Most Out of Your Credit Card - CNBC.com

World's Most Expensive Universities

This may surprise you: The world's most expensive universities are not haute institutions in the Swiss Alps or on the balmy shores of the Persian Gulf. Nor are they the Ivy League citadels of America's elite like Harvard or Princeton, or ancient halls of learning like Cambridge or Oxford in the United Kingdom. No, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education, the most expensive four-year university in the U.S. (and most likely the world) is Washington, D.C.'s George Washington University, with a price tag of $39,240 in 2007-2008. Rounding out the top five: Ohio's Kenyon College ($38,140), Bucknell University in Pennsylvania ($38,134) and Vassar College ($38,115) and Sarah Lawrence College ($38,090), both in New York. All private, all selective and all extremely pricey--and that's before room, board and books are factored in.

The World's Most Expensive Universities - Forbes.com

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Before the bell: Stocks lower; KO, BA, LEH, CAG, ABK, COST ...

Melly Alazraki — 2008-09-03T08:10:00+00:00

Filed under: Before the bell, Earnings reports, Analyst reports, Analyst upgrades and downgrades, Deals, Apple Inc (AAPL), Time Warner (TWX), Coca-Cola (KO), Market matters, H and R Block (HRB), Boeing Co (BA), ConAgra Foods (CAG), Costco Wholesale (COST), Staples Inc (SPLS), U.S. Steel (X), Economic data, United Technologies (UTX), Oil, Lehman Br Holdings (LEH), Federal Reserve

Stock futures were lower this morning as investors digested the decline in commodity prices and awaited a slew of economic readings. Data on employment, manufacturing and auto sales will be reported during the morning and throughout the day. At 2:00 p.m., the Federal Reserve's Beige Book, which gives an overall picture on the economy will be released.

Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) said it is offering $2.4 billion for China Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd., triple Huiyuan's market value. This is Coke's largest acquisition by value to date in China and gives the company a leg in the fast-growing and dynamic Chinese juice market. Coke also said that it expects to buy back a total of $1 billion of its stock for the full year.

The Boeing Co.'s (NYSE: BA) workers are prepared to vote Wednesday. Union members are scheduled to cast two ballots: one regarding Boeing's latest offer, which union leaders are recommending to reject, and another on whether to begin a strike. Results of the vote are expected Wednesday night.

More information is coming out regarding Korea Development Bank interest in Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH). According to reports in The Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's largest mass-circulation daily, state-owned KDB has made a proposal to acquire 25% of U.S. Lehman for as much as 6 trillion won ($5.3 billion). HSBC Holdings (NYSE: HBC) and an unnamed Chinese bank are said to be vying with the KDB for the Lehman stake.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) Tuesday announced a "Let's Rock" event September 9. It will likely launch new iPods. Reuters says analysts "expect Apple to announce a refresh of its line of iPods and cuts to prices of some models."

Earnings: Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) and H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) are due today.

Movers:

ConAgra Inc. (NYSE: CAG) stock was down nearly 5% in after-hours trading Tuesday after it gave a warning on fiscal-first quarter profit due to weakness in its consumer foods unit. J.P. Morgan downgraded ConAgra from Overweight to Neutral.
Ambac Financial (NYSE: ABK) shares are up over 14% in pre-market trading after ABK won approval of Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner to restart the company's Connie Lee Insurance Company subsidiary as a new municipal bond insurer.
Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) shares are down over 4% in pre-market trading after reporting same-store sales rose 9% in August in the U.S., or 6% excluding the effect of higher gas prices. Total sales figures were below analyst estimates.

Analyst calls:

U.S. Steel (NYSE: X) was upgraded by CIBC to Sector Outperform from Sector Perform.
United Tech (NYSE: UTX) was upgraded by UBS from Neutral to Buy.
Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) was downgraded by Bernstein from Outperform to Market Perform.

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Earnings highlights: Hershey, Heinz, Burger King, Foot Locker, Saks and others

Trey Thoelcke — 2008-08-23T14:40:00+00:00

Filed under: Earnings reports, Hershey Co (HSY), Staples Inc (SPLS), Burger King Hldgs (BKC), Limited Brands (LTD)

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) strong Q2 results were in line with analysts' expectations.
BHP Billiton Ltd. (NYSE: BHP) reported a record annual profit on demands for commodities in China.
Burger King Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BKC) beat Q4 expectations despite struggling with commodities costs.
Foot Locker Inc. (NYSE: FL) reported that it easily beat earnings expectations for the second quarter.
GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) reported strong Q2 results despite a decline in gross margins.
Hershey Co. (NYSE: HSY) narrowed its 2008 guidance due to rising costs of commodities.
HJ Heinz Co. (NYSE: HNZ) Q1 results topped analysts' estimates and raised its full-year guidance.
JDS Uniphase Corp. (NASDAQ: JDSU) offered disappointing quarterly results and Q1 guidance.
Limited Brands Inc. (NYSE: LTD) reported better-than-expected Q2 results and boosted its forecast.
Novatel Wireless Inc. (NASDAQ: NVTL) fell short of estimates, leading to a new 52-week low.
Saks Inc. (NYSE: SKS) reported a smaller-than-expected Q2 loss and forecast lower operating margins.
Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) warned of lower profits due to continued challenging market conditions.
Zumiez Inc. (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) warmed of weakness in the second half, including lower same-store sales.

For more earnings highlights from this week, see: Home Depot, Lehman, Hewlett-Packard, Gap, BJ's and others

Upcoming quarterly reports include Big Lots (NYSE: BIG), Borders (NYSE: BGP), Rio Tinto (NYSE: RTP), Tivo (NASDAQ: TIVO), Novell (NASDAQ: NOVL), Dell (NASDAQ: DELL), Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD), and Tiffany (NYSE: TIF).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

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Closing Bell: Another day, another dollar loss for the Dow

Jon Ogg — 2008-08-19T16:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Home Depot (HD), Staples Inc (SPLS), Lehman Br Holdings (LEH)

Today felt like a mini-me version of yesterday's 180-point DJIA sell-off. Again, thin volume persisted. Perhaps the oil traders got an upper hand on some weather forecasting models, putting Tropical Storm Fay back into the Gulf of Mexico with a very promising 25% chance of happening. This would put the oil infrastructure at risk. A super-high PPI report put wholesale inflation up 1.2% (double estimates) at the highest level since late 2006.

Below are the unofficial closing bell levels:
DJIA 11,348.47 (-130.92)
S&P500 1,266.86 (-11.74)
NASDAQ 2,383.52 (-33.46)
10YR T-Note 3.842% (+0.026%)
52-WEEK LOWS
Top Analyst Calls

Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) showed a 24% decline in earnings with results at $0.71 EPS on a 5.4% drop in revenues to $21 billion. Estimates were $0.61 EPS and $20.6 billion. The home repair supplies and hardware retail beast shares were actually down almost 4% at $25.95 in today's final minutes after the sellers overpowered the bulls at the open.

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LEH) felt the wrath of traders after reports that it would also sell a stake in its Neuberger Berman money management unit and on reports that CEO Dick Fuld was passing down some responsibilities to his #2. Shares were down 13% in today's final minutes.

Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) had a rough day with shares ending down 4% at $23.60 in today's final minutes of trading after it confirmed that business and consumer slowing is also affecting its sales. The office supplies retailer sees 2008 sales growth in low-single digits and now sees flat earnings growth before a large charge related to its acquisition of Corporate Express. For Q2 it actually sees a drop of 15% to earnings on a 3% sales rise. Will it break under $20?

Xinhua Finance Media Ltd. (NASDAQ: XFML) was up almost 6% at $2.88 in today's final minutes. The company beat earnings expectations and raised expectations for 2008. The company posted $0.10 EPS on $48.9 million in sales versus $0.07 EPS and $49.6 million in revenues. It now sees 2008 EPS at $0.33 to $0.35 versus prior targets of $0.31 to $0.33.

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Before the bell: Stocks to start lower; SPLS drops; HD higher; TGT, HPQ on tap

Melly Alazraki — 2008-08-19T08:03:00+00:00

Filed under: Before the bell, Earnings reports, Deals, Apple Inc (AAPL), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Intel (INTC), Home Depot (HD), Market matters, Target Corp. (TGT), Advanced Micro Dev (AMD), Federal Natl Mtge (FNM), Lowe's Cos (LOW), Staples Inc (SPLS), Economic data, Oil, Lehman Br Holdings (LEH), General Dynamics Corp (GD)

U.S. stock futures were lower Tuesday morning, indicating stocks would likely start the same. Investors' concerns about the financial sector dampened sentiment, but oil prices continued to decline and could offset some of the negative mood. Still, housing and inflation data are on tap before the market opens today. And of course earnings with The Home Depot already beating investors' expectations this morning but with Staples issuing a warning.

A day after smaller Lowe's (NYSE: LOW) reported a profit drop, The Home Depot (NYSE: HD) followed suit, reporting a 24% profit decline for the second quarter. It held onto its earnings outlook as second-quarter net fell 24% to $1.2 billion, or 71 cents per share. Sales declined 5.4% to $21 billion. Analysts had projected earnings per share of 61 cents on revenue of $20.58 billion. Home Depot shares rose 2% in premarket trading.

Other retailers scheduled to release earnings include discounter Target (NYSE: TGT) -- could it follow Wal-Mart's results? -- while Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) is to report after the close -- AP preview.

Meanwhile, Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) issued a profit warning, saying that "Challenging market conditions continued during the company's second quarter, resulting in weaker than anticipated results in Staples' pre-acquisition business." Staples said sales increased approximately 3% and earnings per share decreased approximately 15% yoy. Shares of Staples declined nearly 6.5% in premarket trading.

General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) announced it is buying Switzerland's Jet Aviation for about $2.25 billion cash to expand its business-aviation services.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) is set to show off today a new chip that directly controls the memory in computers, invading one of the last market niches dominated by Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD). By combining the memory and processing functions into a single chip it can help pull up data and perform calculations faster as well as improve handling of video and sound files, and share work among computers. Intel could once again take the lead over AMD here.

The financial sector will remain the one investors are most concerned about, and many stocks will likely see some volatile trade. CNBC and Bloomberg both came out saying that the credit crisis is only half through and could get worse.
After Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) and Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM) dropped big Monday due to a report suggesting the U.S. Treasury is urging both to raise more capital which is expected to wipe out stockholders, both stocks are up in premarket trading, but that could change in a heartbeat.

Elsewhere, a JP Morgan analyst said Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH) will likely take a further $4 billion of write-downs in the third-quarter due to losses stemming from sour mortgage-related investments.

And following so many problems with its MobileMe software, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has offered MobileMe subscribers a free 60-day extension of their current subscription.

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'Autopilot' portfolio: 10 stocks for long-term investors

Steven Halpern — 2008-08-15T17:44:00+00:00

Filed under: Microsoft (MSFT), Intel (INTC), Exxon Mobil (XOM), Newsletters, Walt Disney (DIS), Costco Wholesale (COST), Staples Inc (SPLS), Lockheed Martin (LMT), Personal finance, Stocks to Buy

"I've always been a big fan of putting into the market on a regular basis regardless of what is happening in the overall market," explains Chuck Carlson, long considered one of the advisory industry's leading experts on dividend reinvestment plans.

Here, the editor of The DRIP Investor offers a 10-stock "autopilot" portfolio that is diversified among 10 high quality dividend-paying stocks and requiring a monthly investment of under $500.

Carlson says, "If I've learned anything in the more than a quarter of a century of following the markets, it is this fact - buying stocks when you know you should (i.e. during sharp down moves) is really difficult. Our heads says we should; after all, substantial market downturns create the best values.

"But our emotions usually take control, thus making it very difficult to pull the trigger and put money into the market when stocks are falling.

"That's why I've always been a big fan of 401(k) plans. With these investment vehicles, investment programs are put on 'autopilot,' with dollars being put into the market on a regular basis (usually each paycheck) regardless of what is happening in the overall market.

"Fortunately, investors can duplicate the autopilot feature of 401(k) plans with their DRIP investments by taking advantage of automatic monthly investment features provided by most DRIPs.

"Under this feature, investors can set up automatic investments via electronic debit of their bank accounts each month. For investors who use this feature, DRIP plans usually reward them with a number of benefits.

"For example, it is not unusual for a firm to waive the minimum initial investment amount if an investor is willing to agree to automatic monthly investments via electronic debit from their bank account. For example, the minimum initial investment to join Walt Disney's direct-purchase plan is $1,000.

"However, Disney will waive this amount if an investor agrees to automatic monthly investment of at least $100. The ability to invest smaller amounts via electronic debit increases the accessibility of many DRIP plans.

"Firms usually charge a lower fee on shares purchased with automatic monthly investment. Returning to our Disney example, the firm charges DRIP participants a fee of $5 for shares purchased with a check. However, shares purchased via automatic monthly investment are charged a fee of just $1.

"True, if you choose to invest via automatic monthly investment, you are committed to making regular monthly investments. However, your requirement usually extends only until you invest the amount that equals the minimum initial investment.

"For example, if you choose to make automatic monthly investments in the Disney plan, you need to make those automatic investments until you reach Disney's minimum initial investment amount of $1,000. That would mean a minimum of 10 monthly investments of $100 each.

"The following 'autopilot' DRIP portfolio contains 10 quality stocks. All of these companies permit initial purchases directly, and all reduce their minimum initial investment amount if an investor agrees to automatic monthly investment via electronic debit of a bank account.

"To make automatic monthly investments in all of these 10 stocks would require a monthly investment of just $475:

DRIP Stock	Contact info
Becton, Dickinson and Co. (NYSE: BDX) -- minimum monthly investment of $50	877-498-8861
Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST) -- minimum monthly investment of $25	866-353-7849
The Walt Disney Corporation (NYSE: DIS) -- minimum monthly investment of $100	818-553-7200
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) -- minimum monthly investment of $50	800-252-1800
International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) -- minimum monthly investment of $50	888-426-6700
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) -- minimum monthly investment of $50	888-548-7701
Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) -- minimum monthly investment of $25	888-648-8154
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) -- minimum monthly investment of $50	866-353-7849
Questar Corporation (NYSE: STR) -- minimum monthly investment of $50	866-877-6324
Staples, Inc. (MASDAQ: SPLS) --minimum monthly investment of $25	888-875-9002

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

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Analyst initiations: SOLF, BMRN and DNA

Eric Buscemi — 2008-07-17T11:11:00+00:00

Filed under: Analyst reports, Staples Inc (SPLS), Genentech Inc (DNA), Analyst initiations

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Solarfun Power, BioMarin Pharmaceutical and Genentech were today's noteworthy initiations:

Jefferies initiated Solarfun Power (NASDAQ:SOLF) with a Buy rating and $18 target. The firm believes the one-third stake purchased by Good Energies and new management hires could generate operational momentum and that declining silicon costs may help margins.
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ:BMRN) was started at Oppenheimer with a Perform rating. The firm recommends waiting for Street estimates on Kuvan sales to moderate and for positive pipeline signals before adding to positions.
Genentech (NYSE:DNA) was initiated at Citigroup with a Buy rating and $91 target. The firm believes several studies could lead to robust growth and points out the company's Q2 results showed Avastin reaccelerating due to growth in breast cancer.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

Goldman reinstated Staples (NASDAQ:SPLS) with a Neutral rating.
Zebra Tech (NASDAQ:ZBRA) was initiated with a Hold rating at KeyBanc.
Rodman & Renshaw assumed coverage of Corcept Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CORT) with an Outperform rating and $8 target.
AuthenTec (NASDAQ:AUTH) was initiated at JP Morgan with an Overweight rating and at Canaccord Adams with a Hold rating and $10 target.

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Back-to-school shopping season has started

Eliza Popescu — 2008-07-09T15:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Consumer experience, Marketing and advertising, Staples Inc (SPLS)

They say it's never too early to start getting ready for the upcoming school year, and Tuesday, Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) announced it was officially kicking off the back-to-school shopping season. This came as a reaction to a survey showing that parents would indeed like to know when they could start finding school supplies on store shelves.

And what can be easier than establishing an official start to the back-to-school shopping season? Based on the example of Black Friday, which announces the start of the winter holiday shopping season, Staples followed the same logic and decided to declare July 8 as the official opening day of the 2008 back-to-school shopping season. Staples is serious about setting an official precedent, and celebrated it by ringing the bell to open the NASDAQ Tuesday.

"Staples is giving parents a clear road map of where and when to the find the best products and deals this season," the company stated. But the more apparent reality is that the current economic environment has consumers more closely watching their spending, while at the same time stores are trying to do anything they can to get shoppers through the doors.

In order to promote this shopping season, Staples started a campaign called "Do Something 101" together with Dosomething.org and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. Under the promotion, teens are advised to collect school supplies and bring them to Staple stores, or make a donation of $2 for other students who may need some help. I'm sure that thousand of students would be glad to receive some help from those able to offer it.

Eliza Popescu is a financial writer for the online investment advisory service Investor's Observer.

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Amazon.com (AMZN) to stock office supplies

Brent Archer — 2008-06-24T14:24:00+00:00

Filed under: Amazon.com (AMZN), Staples Inc (SPLS), Options, Technical Analysis

Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) shares are falling today after the company announced this morning that it has opened an office supplies division designed to compete with Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) and the like. Evidently, investors aren't too excited by the Amazon's entry into this already struggling portion of the retail sector. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on AMZN.

After hitting a one-year high of $101.09 in October, the stock hit a one-year low of $61.20 in March. This morning, AMZN opened at $79.55. So far today the stock has hit a low of $77.63 and a high of $80.08. As of 12:30, AMZN is trading at $80.04, down $0.64 (-0.7%). The chart for AMZN looks bullish and steady, while S&P gives the stock a neutral 3 Stars (out of 5) Hold rating.

For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an August bear-call credit spread above the $105 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 5.3% return in two months as long as AMZN is below $105 at August expiration. AMZN would have to rise by more than 30% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.

AMZN hasn't been above $102 at all int he past year and has shown resistance around $85 recently. This trade could be risky if the company's earnings (due out on July 23) are a positive surprise, but even if that happens, this position could be protected by resistance AMZN might find just above $100, where it topped out twice back in late 2007.

Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer. DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in AMZN.

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Staples (SPLS) buyout of Corporate Express approved by EU

Brent Archer — 2008-06-18T13:37:00+00:00

Filed under: Deals, Staples Inc (SPLS), Options, Technical Analysis, Politics

Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS) shares are falling today after the European Commission approved SPLS's $2.7 billion acquisition of Dutch office supply company Corporate Express NV. The transaction has already received regulatory approval in the U.S. and Canada. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on SPLS.

After hitting a one-year low of $19.69 in November, the stock hit a one-year high of $25.85 on Monday. This morning, SPLS opened at $24.76. So far today the stock has hit a low of $24.44 and a high of $24.98. As of 11:00, SPLS is trading at $24.54, down $0.57 (-2.3%). The chart for SPLS looks bullish and steady, while S&P gives the stock a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy rating.

For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a September bear-call credit spread above the $27.50 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 16.3% return in three months as long as SPLS is below $27.50 at September expiration. Staples would have to rise by more than 11% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.

SPLS hasn't been above $26 at all in the past year and has shown resistance around $26 recently. This trade could be risky if the company's earnings (due out on 8/19) are a positive surprise, but even if that happens, this position could be protected by resistance SPLS might find around $26, where it topped out earlier this month.

Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer. DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in SPLS.

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Analyst initiations: ALD, ZIXI and SPLS

Eric Buscemi — 2008-06-12T11:33:00+00:00

Filed under: Analyst reports, Staples Inc (SPLS), Analyst initiations

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Allied Capital, ZIX Corp and Staples were today's noteworthy initiations:

Oppenheimer believes Allied Capital's (NYSE:ALD) dividend is sustainable and that the equity portion of its portfolio will drive outsized returns once market conditions return to normalcy. Shares were initiated with a Perform rating.
ThinkPanmure believes ZIX Corp (NASDAQ:ZIXI) has a large opportunity in e-prescribing encryption market, with a potential catalyst being the E-MEDS bill. The firm started shares with a Buy rating and $4.50 target.
Banc of America reinstated its Buy rating on Staples (NASDAQ:SPLS) following the Corporate Express (NYSE:CXP) deal, which it views as a positive catalyst for the stock. The firm has a $29 target on the stock.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM) was initiated at Thomas Weisel with an Overweight rating and $62 target.
Stephens assumed Wabash (NYSE:WNC) with an Equal Weight rating and $10 target.
Compass Diversified Trust (NASDAQ:CODI) was initiated with a Sector Perform rating and $14 target at RBC Capital.

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Staples catches its prey for $2.6 billion

Tom Taulli — 2008-06-11T11:36:00+00:00

Filed under: Staples Inc (SPLS)

After some tough fighting, Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) has won its bid for Corporate Express N.V., one of the world's largest suppliers of office products to businesses and institutions. The deal comes to about $2.6 billion in an all cash transaction. What's more, Corporate Express has agreed to abandon its purchase of rival Lyreco (which was really a defensive ploy anyway).

To get to this point, Staples had to increase its bid several times, from 7.25 euros to 9.25 euros. But, it was probably worth it. After all, the core retail business is lagging.

Basically, Corporate Express will provide a strong distribution platform in North America, Canada and Europe. Moreover, the business is growing and there should be some cost savings because of overlap and economies of scale, although these haven't been estimated yet.

With the deal, Staples will have annual revenues of $27 billion and 94,000 employees across 28 countries.

And, so far in today's trading, shares in Staples are up 3.71% to $24.01.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates MergerBook.com.

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Second stimulus check?, 25 million Americans underinsured & world's best places to live - Today in Money 6/11

Allan Halprin — 2008-06-11T08:16:00+00:00

Filed under: Google (GOOG), Money and Finance Today, Gap Inc (GPS), Staples Inc (SPLS)

In the News:

· Staples Wins Fight to Buy Corporate Express for $2.6 Billion

· Free Gas Offered to Fuel Sales at a Variety of Places

· Lists of Restaurants, Supermarkets Pulling Tomatoes Grows

· The Gap Looking to Shrink Stores to Save Money

· Carmakers Can't Keep Up With Demand for Hybrids

· Beloved Fictional Characters Get 21st Century Facelift

· Torrential Rains in Midwest Hurt U.S. Corn Crop

· Google Co-Founder Books a Flight in Space

· Abu Dhabi to Buy NY's Chrysler Building

· U.S. News to Expand Consumer Focus; Publish Bi-Weekly

· Trump Battles Environmentalists; Defends Plans for $2 Billion Golf Course

· Prince Charles Pays Off Royal Debt... 350 Years Late

25 Million Americans Are 'Underinsured'
Middle- and upper-income families find it harder to get needed medical care a new report says.
25 Million Americans Are 'Underinsured'

A Second Tax Stimulus Check?
As millions of taxpayers await rebate checks, others find themselves with two.
A second stimulus check? Don't cash it unless you're entitled - MarketWatch

The World's Best Places to Live
Forget about the U.S. where the top city ranked only No. 28 (Honolulu). Mercer Consulting's annual roundup of the global cities with the best quality of life is here, and Zurich once again comes out on top. Vienna, Geneva, Vancouver and Auckland round out the top 5.
World's Best Places - BusinessWeek

Do You Know What's in Your Spouse's Wallet?
You need to know everything about your partner's finances to make smart decisions together. But most couples know next to nothing.
Your family's money: What's in your spouse's wallet? - CNNmoney

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Before the bell: Futures higher ahead of Beige Book, oil supplies

Melly Alazraki — 2008-06-11T07:42:00+00:00

Filed under: Before the bell, Deals, Staples Inc (SPLS), Economic data, Lehman Br Holdings (LEH), Federal Reserve

U.S. stock futures were higher early Wednesday ahead of the release of the Beige Book on economic conditions and the release of weekly oil inventory supplies that could move oil prices again.

U.S. stocks ended mixed but unchanged much Tuesday following the release of April trade deficit, which widened further and despite crude-oil prices edged lower. Comments from Bernanke on inflation concerned investors. The Dow industrials rose 9 points, or 0.08%, while the S&P 500 fell 3.3 points, or 0.24%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 10 points, or 0.43%.

Today, the Federal Reserve is scheduled to issue its Beige Book - a survey of regional economic performance - at 2 p.m EDT.
At 10:30 a.m., weekly crude inventories are due out. Oil prices rebounded in electronic trading Wednesday back above $133 a barrel ahead of the report as traders speculate inventories declined and as the dollar weakened.

Meanwhile, in Europe, Juergen Stark, a European Central Bank board member said the ECB will likely not act in a series of interest-rate increases, but rather just raise borrowing costs the one time in July and that's it.

In corporate news, Staple (NASDAQ: SPLS) has finally won its battle to buy Corporate Express (NYSE: CXP) after the Dutch firm agreed to a sweetened bid of $2.65 billion and ended its own deal with Lyreco. The first original offer in February was for 7.25 euros, which was then lifted to 9.15 euros and again to 9.25 euros -- the accepted offer.

Attempting to raise $6 billion in capital, Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH) almost struck a deal with Korean financial institutions, including nclude Korea Development Bank and Kookmin Bank, and may yet arrange one by the end of the year, the Financial Times reported. LEH stock seems to be recovering somewhat in premarket trading, up about 1%.

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Before the bell: Futures mixed ahead of Bernanke (LEH, SPLS, TOL)

Melly Alazraki — 2008-06-03T07:38:00+00:00

Filed under: Before the bell, Earnings reports, Deals, Ford Motor (F), General Motors (GM), Toyota Motor Corp. (TM), Market matters, Staples Inc (SPLS), Toll Brothers (TOL), Economic data, Oil, Lehman Br Holdings (LEH), Housing, Federal Reserve

U.S. stock futures were mixed early Tuesday morning, trading in a narrow range as investors awaited Fed Chairman Bernenake's speech, examined oil prices and reacted to news Lehman Brothers might $4 billion in capital.

After a four-day winning streak, U.S. stocks declined on Monday following renewed concerns about the financial markets following management changes at Wachovia and Washington Mutual, downgrades of several financials and Britain's Bradford & Bingley warning about profits. The Dow industrials dropped 134 points, or 1.06%, the Nasdaq Composite lost 31 points, or 1.23%, and the S&P 500 dropped 14 points, or 1.05%.

While not much is on the economic docket for today other than April factory orders due at 10:00 a.m. EDT, investor will likely be interested in the International Monetary Conference in Barcelona where Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke as well as European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet and Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa are going to speak starting 9:00 a.m. EDT.

Meanwhile, crude oil futures remained above $127 a barrel Tuesday with some investors thinking oil prices may have peaked, despite others being concerned yet about supply meeting growing global demand.

The biggest corporate story this morning no doubt come from Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH) as The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday the investment bank is considering whether to raise up to $4 billion in fresh capital, suggesting it may report its first-ever quarterly loss as a public company. LEH shares are trading down 2.9% in early premarket action.

In deal news, Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) can't take no for an answer as it said on Tuesday it raised to $2.6 billion its hostile bid for Dutch office supplies distributor Corporate Express NV (NYSE: CXP). If Corporate Express can't come up with another clever way to get out of this one, perhaps third time's a charm? Corporate Express shares are now worth more than twice what they were when rumors of a Staples bid began circulating in February.

And in earnings news, Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL) swung to a hefty loss in the second quarter due to massive write-downs on the value of land joint ventures, but results topped Wall Street expectations.

Also today, automakers will be reporting May auto sales figures. Overall weakness is expected, as even Toyota (NYSE: TM) may not be immune to the downturn.

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